from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera La Cenerentola by Gioacchino Rossini

Libretto: Jacopo Ferretti

Role: Alidoro, a philosopher and the tutor of Don Ramiro

Voice Part: bass       Fach: lyric bass

Setting: The mansion of Don Magnifico

Synopsis: Don Magnifico and his daughters have been invited to the Prince's ball. Don Magnifico will not allow Cenerentola to go along, however. After the rest of the family leaves, Cenerentola is left alone with Alidoro who is in disguise as one of the King's officials. Alidoro realizes the goodness in Cenerentola and tells her that he will bring her to the ball himself. She believes that he is making fun of her. To show her that he means what he says, he throws off his cloak to reveal his noble clothes beneath and sings to her that God himself has looked down upon her and shows favor upon her and thus, she should not be afraid of going to the ball. He then goes on to say that his carriage is coming and, although she must be confused and upset, she will soon be in happier days.